Cruz, GOP colleagues back away from Obamacare repeal bill

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, signaled Sunday he did not plan to vote for Cassidy-Graham, the latest version of the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. File Photo by Erin Schaff/UPI | License Photo

"It is very difficult for me to envision a scenario where I would end up voting for this bill," Collins said. "I have a number of serious reservations about it."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced Friday he "cannot in good conscience" support Cassidy-Graham, while Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said in a Fox News editorial he would not be voting for the measure. A third Republican "no" vote would tank the bill, which has no support from Democrats in the Senate.

McCain called for healthcare reform with committee input as part of "regular order in the Senate."

"That is the only way we might achieve bipartisan consensus on lasting reform, without which a policy that affects one-fifth of our economy and every single American family will be subject to reversal with every change of administration and congressional majority," McCain wrote in his announcement.

Paul, however, said his opposition to the bill comes as a result of viewing it as "Obamacare lite." He said the plan does not go far enough in completely repealing the Affordable Care Act.

White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short said Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press that the administration is not put off by the setbacks and is still planning to push for a vote on Cassidy-Graham this week, with a target date of Wednesday.